Always treat your monsters informally.
How To Make A Monster (1958) is a minor B-list gem of a movie. Blessed with superior B&W cinematography, this is the story of Pete Dumond, master makeup artist with a specialty in the traditional monsters such as the Werewolf, and his war with the corporation taking over Dumond’s employer, American International Studios (look for the in-joke). NBN Associates, the buyers, are not interested in continuing the monster movie tradition; they want the physical assets, but the people? Only those who are applicable to producing their style of movies. Dumond does not fit in.
But Dumond has other plans.
Dumond’s secret weapon? Well, let’s just say he’s found an improvement to his art that enhances the performance of the actors underneath the fur, feathers, and face plasters. Under his terse direction, the monsters become a menace not just to the movie heroines, but to anyone in their path.
And there’s even more lurking under the affable Dumond exterior. Indeed, that which bubbles under his balding pate is enough to consume everything. But will it?
Competent performances and story round out this low-key movie. I won’t say it’s wonderful, as some of the horror didn’t really connect for us, but it surprised us in a delightful manner, which was perhaps reflective of our low expectations.
Enjoy!
